Outside the Beltway

Thinking about how what is known about Trump and Epstein.

A sad fact about the quality of American leadership and an indictment of Christians who ardently support it.

Elections, the states, and the presidency edition.

We are observing an effort to embed democratically questionable sectarian norms into the day-to-day life of federal workplaces. 

Thinking about the evolution (or is it devolution) of the GOP since the 1990s.

Cruz on supporting Israel.

Rural Americans are misunderstood!

The roots of MAGA run deep, through places like my old home.

Cults of personality are not the same as cults.

No big surprises from the dumbest recurring contest in American politics.

White Christian nationalism and the fight for control of America.

Where religious zealotry can lead. (So, yes, a digression into American politics).

The Establishment is desperate for an alternative that’s not coming.

We’re getting weird policies almost nobody is asking for.

“The GOP” is not a singular unit.

The Nebraska Republican got an offer he can’t refuse.

So, what now?

A piece in The Atlantic inspires thoughts.

Fear of a reprise of 2016 is still with us.

Ignoring religious diversity makes polarization much worse.

Why the ‘moral majority’ is willing to tolerate so much immorality from their leader.

Dennis Prager makes me feel like we are living in the Upside Down.

The Republican Party is a cult with Donald Trump at the center and his ardent supporters are brainwashed cult members.

Reversing decades of policy, the Trump Administration reversed decades of policy on settlements in disputed territory.

It’s not the responsibility of the opposition party to make up for Donald Trump.

Barry Goldwater saw what the so-called “religious right” would become decades ago.

At some point, what we call conservatism turned into a racket. It’s not surprising that this led directly to Trump.

Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld is preparing for a primary challenge against Donald Trump. He won’t win, but he could still have an impact.

New polling seems to indicate that President Trump is losing support among an important part of his base.

A new poll shows Ted Cruz in a much tighter than expected race for re-election, but it’s going to take more to consider Texas a state that Democrats could pick up in the fall.

There was a time when Mike Pence believed that a President’s personality morality and trustworthiness mattered. He clearly doesn’t believe that anymore.

In the age of Trump, morality is optional for conservatives.

The number of Americans professing no religious affiliation is on the rise. This will have some interesting cultural and political implications.

After hastily removing the House Chaplain under unclear circumstances, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has reversed himself.

An attempt at defining the conversation.

The Trump Administration has acted in a manner to create the impression that there is “no daylight” between the United States and Israel. This is a myth, and pursuing such a goal poses real dangers for America’s national interests.

Democratic norms are eroding.

Americans were once largely united in their opinions about Israel and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. That’s not the case anymore.

A foolish, and potentially dangerous, decision by President Trump.

Roy Moore’s most die-hard defenders are living in a world of their own, and it’s unlikely they’ll change their minds.

Americans as a whole are becoming less religious and some people are panicking about it.

The ‘No Labels’ movement is back, and it’s as irrelevant to contemporary politics as ever.

New polling indicates that the Affordable Care Act has gained in popularity with the American public, while Republican reform efforts are viewed overwhelmingly negatively.

On Tuesday night the Establishment won and won yuge. (From new OTB contributor, Michael Bailey)

Hillary Clinton has a slight lead in national polling over Donald Trump as the battle for the White House really begins.

The GOP race for President takes yet another bizarre turn.